You're feeling lost in your career. How can you find the right guidance to get back on track?

I advise all my clients to find at least 1 mentor, ideally 2, with different skillsets who can help them navigate the intricacies of their particular industry, "show them the ropes", make some referrals and introductions, etc. Having one mentor who is OUTSIDE of your current organisation is key - you'd want a senior industry figure, someone who is unbiased and has no personal agenda. Also, they can add value with views and insights that go beyond one particular organisation and the way things are done there.

As mentorias proporcionam oportunidades valiosas para compartilhar conhecimento, desenvolver habilidades, construir redes profissionais e receber orientação personalizada. Ao participar de um programa de mentoria, seja como mentor ou mentorado, você pode enriquecer sua jornada profissional e contribuir para o crescimento mútuo.

A mentoring program is a structured initiative designed to pair individuals seeking guidance in their career with experienced professionals who serve as mentors. These programs offer invaluable support, advice, and knowledge-sharing opportunities, helping mentees navigate challenges, set goals, and develop professionally. Mentoring programs often include regular meetings, workshops, and networking events to facilitate meaningful connections and foster personal and professional growth. Whether in academia, corporate settings, or community organizations, mentoring programs play a crucial role in nurturing talent and driving success.

A mentoring program bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, offering mentees a unique opportunity to gain insights from experienced professionals. It's a vital tool for career development, as it provides personalized advice, accelerates learning, and expands professional networks. Whether formal or informal, the right mentorship can be a catalyst for career growth, helping individuals navigate challenges and seize opportunities they might otherwise miss.

First, assess your current situation and identify what's causing the uncertainty or dissatisfaction. Then, consider seeking out a career counselor or coach who specializes in helping individuals navigate career challenges. They can provide valuable insights, assessments, and personalized advice to help you clarify your goals and direction. Also, make use of online resources and information. Networking can also provide valuable perspectives and guidance. Additionally, don't hesitate to invest in professional development opportunities, such as workshops or courses, to acquire new skills or refresh existing ones. Lastly, stay open to different paths and be patient, as finding the right guidance often takes time and self-reflection.

A mentor becomes an invaluable asset to your career portfolio as you learn things about yourself that you can't see. You often find that mentors have been where you are and will inspire you to move beyond their accomplishments to reach greater heights.

Ter um mentor é uma oportunidade única de aprendizado e desenvolvimento profissional. Ao estabelecer uma relação de mentoria, você se beneficia de orientação personalizada, conselhos práticos e insights valiosos que podem impulsionar sua carreira. Invista na construção dessas conexões significativas para colher os frutos ao longo do tempo.

Want to know one of the most dangerous things in life? Not knowing what you don't know. If you don't have the right information, making the right choice can be impossible. Whether it's figuring out the right school / program after high school or navigating the corporate ladder, to make the best decision for your career, you need to discover what you don't know. That is why mentors are so crucial. Establishing intentional relationships with those in positions above you and those managing people in your position can give you access to insider information you wouldn't know. To expertly navigate your career, you must access the right people and connect with the right information.

When feeling lost in your career, a mentor can provide invaluable guidance to help you find your way. Mentors offer experience, wisdom, and a fresh perspective, helping you navigate challenges, set goals, and make informed decisions. They can provide encouragement, support, and networking opportunities, propelling your career forward. Having a mentor can be the difference between aimlessly wandering and confidently moving towards success.

You need someone, preferably a mentor, to have you reflect on the goal for which you set off on the chosen career path in the first place. These professionals can help you see things in a different light — seek an opportunity in a challenge. The likelihood of getting back on track depends on making the best of mentorship to reconnect with your goals and gearing up for a journey to fulfillment/growth at a professional level.

When feeling lost in your career, finding the right mentor can be a game-changer. Start by identifying individuals whose career paths or expertise align with your goals. Reach out through professional networks, social media, or industry events, expressing genuine interest in their insights. Be proactive, but respectful of their time. Remember, a mentor can offer invaluable guidance and support on your journey to success.

Finding a mentor requires patience because building a mentor/mentee relationship can be a slower process. It's essential to recognize that potential mentors may need time to get to know you and assess your compatibility. Developing trust and rapport takes time, as both parties need to feel comfortable with each other. Additionally, mentors often have busy schedules, so it may take a while to coordinate meetings and establish a mentorship dynamic. By being patient and persistent, you increase your chances of finding a mentor who can provide valuable guidance and support over the long term.

➡️ You have to already be good to find a mentor. Mentors are individuals who, having navigated similar paths, feel compelled to guide those less experienced. Their busyness stems from their success, making their time for mentoring limited. They won't mentor just anyone approaching them. Starting a new career or venture might mean you're not initially mentor-worthy. It's a tough reality, but you must be proactive, independently learning as much as possible. Successful mentors seek potential and want to mentor those already good but not yet great. Work your way up independently, and when you're good, potential mentors are more likely to take notice without you having to ask for a handout.

Attending industry events and seeing different experts on stage talking about their career journeys and their expertise is one great way to find a mentor. Another way is following experts in your field on LinkedIn and choose someone you connect with and relate to, someone who inspires you and you believe can support you.

Engaging with your HR team to seek mentorship can be beneficial, but also consider conversing with multiple senior leaders within your organisation or even in other organisations with whom you feel comfortable. While not structured as formal mentoring, these personal connections can offer valuable insights and wisdom derived from their experiences. Such interactions may resonate more closely with your specific needs, fostering motivation and aiding in realigning your path.

You can approach a mentor through a direct message on LinkedIn -Be specific on what you expect -Make sure you show gratitude in advance to their time & efforts & praise them for how they inspire you -Be flexible to their busy schedule -Have a clear goal that you want to reach with them

Approaching a mentor involves initiating a respectful and professional conversation, expressing your admiration for their expertise, and clearly articulating why you believe they would be a valuable mentor to you. Be specific about what you hope to learn or achieve through the mentorship and demonstrate your commitment to the relationship by outlining your goals and expectations.

When reaching out to a potential mentor, it's essential to communicate your goals and expectations clearly. Show that you've done your homework about their background and expertise. Make your proposal compelling by illustrating how this mentorship aligns with their expertise and your career objectives. As always: clear and direct communication and aligning each other's expectations is the key.

It's usually easy! 1. State what your current situation is 2. Don't forget to mention your expected result (it can even be something vague like I want to land a job. Your mentor will help you with defining it) 3. Attach any documents you have (cv, linkedin profiles) 4. Ask if the mentor is open to discuss it with you

There are infinite ways, but I always recommend these three key areas: 1. Arrive to each session with a clear goal – help your mentor help you by being as specific as possible on where you need guidance and direction. 2. Arrive to each session prepared – being proactive and respectful of your mentor’s time will be the best way to honor your relationship. Share what actions you took from the previous session, what you learned, and what specific guidance you need for the next step. 3. Arrive to each session eager to listen, eager to learn – your mentor has taken on this role because of their genuine care of paying it forward. If you think you know it all already, then please save their generosity for someone who will appreciate it.

Manter uma relação de mentoria bem-sucedida requer comprometimento e respeito mútuo. Ao estabelecer metas claras, ser proativo e aberto, você constrói uma base sólida para o crescimento profissional. A comunicação franca e o feedback construtivo fortalecem o relacionamento, tornando-o mutuamente enriquecedor. Essa parceria de mentoria é uma via de mão dupla, onde tanto o mentor quanto o mentorado contribuem para o desenvolvimento mútuo.

Perhaps the most important thing you can do once you find a mentor is leave your ego outside the door. ▪️Embracing the guidance of a mentor requires humility and an open mind. ▪️Being receptive fosters a more effective mentor-mentee relationship as you absorb knowledge with genuine curiosity and readiness. Setting aside preconceptions and being open to different perspectives creates an environment where mentorship can flourish, leading to valuable personal and professional development.

It's all about intentionality and reciprocity. To make the most of any kind of developmental activity or relationship requires deliberate, conscious attention. Clarifying one's needs and goals. Setting aside time on a regular basis. Taking action based upon insights and learnings. But sustainable relationships are built on mutuality. Beyond the value that a mentor can provide to you, what can you offer them? Maybe it's a concrete skill you have. Or an expanded perspective. Or appreciation and a sense of satisfaction at seeing someone make progress. What distinguishes exceptional mentees - and drives powerful mentorship relationships - is intentionality and reciprocity.

To make the most out of a mentoring relationship, it's essential to enter it with clear goals and an open, receptive mindset. Set specific, achievable objectives for what you wish to gain from the mentorship, whether it's developing certain skills, gaining industry insights, or expanding your professional network. Active participation and regular, open communication are key; be proactive in scheduling meetings, come prepared with questions or topics for discussion, and be willing to act on advice and feedback.

Do the following: - Conduct self-assessment. - Seek professional counseling. - Engage in networking. - Find a mentor. - Conduct informational interviews. - Attend workshops and seminars. - Utilize online resources. - Consider continuing education. - Experiment with internships or - volunteering. - Practice mindfulness and well-being.

In my experience, most mentorships end by estrangement. The mentee calls less or stops to set up meetings. Whether formal closure is needed depends on how formal the mentoring aspect of your mentorship is. If it is a formal relationship that is understood by both parties as "mentoring", then I suggest to formalise that too. However, most people become friends and it is really nice to keep each other informed about progress and challenges.

Encerrar um relacionamento de mentoria com respeito é crucial. Ao avaliar o progresso e expressar gratidão, você consolida as lições aprendidas. Manter contato, compartilhar conquistas e buscar conselhos ocasionalmente demonstra apreço contínuo. Este processo de encerramento não é um adeus, mas uma transição para uma amizade profissional duradoura.

Mentoring should be a mutual exchange is which both sides put time and effort in, and get some new insights, ideas, wisdom, and/or confidence out of it. If one of the sides feels that they do not benefit in any way, they should not continue this relationship. This is not an issue but rather, a normal situation. People often grow in different ways and go in separate directions. In that case, it's best to shake hands, go forward, and keep the memory of good times. You should also prepare that when your career progresses, new mentors will come to your life at every stage. The rotation of mentors is a good sign, not a problem.

1. Clarity and direction 2. Look for mentors 3. Networking 4. Self investment Finally and after following these steps, you should take action towards your goals and be patient and persistent, change takes time and effort but worth it.

If you're feeling lost in your career, please do not despair. "Lost" just means you've run out of ideas and need some more perspective. We are here to have an extraordinary experience, so if you run out of ideas and optimism, seek input from others. One idea I did not see after a quick scroll is to write a list of people who are satisfied in their career. Who is on a path they like? It might not be the same path as you, but they are not lost. Talk with five people to learn how they found their path. Listen to their story, then reflect on what you can learn from them. If needed, talk with five more and reflect afterward. The key part is in your reflection. Seek to be inspired by the people and take one new step after each conversation.

To find guidance when feeling lost in your career, reflect on your interests, seek mentorship, network, consider career counseling, explore online resources, attend informational interviews, and set clear goals. Utilize both internal and external support systems to gain clarity and direction.

Just like with shoes, working with someone to get guidance on your career needs to be the right fit . Start by devouring all of their free content. Do you like their style? Read their recommendations on LinkedIn. Are they current? How many are there? How many years have they been coaching? What is the recurrent theme amongst the reviews? This will give you a significant impression of what it’s like to work with them. What are the results? Are people writing that they like the look of their new resumes, but they still have a green border around their photos, or have they gotten jobs? Like everything else, take a moment to do your homework and find the best for you.

Here are some things to consider. There are mentors, sponsors, and coaches and they all play a different role. Mentors can help you understand a business or industry and even speak from their own experience. While useful, it is limited when trying to answer your feelings of being untethered and lost in your career. How can you find the right guidance to get back on track? Work with a coach. A coach is someone who doesn't have skin in the game. They won't advise or lead you to an answer, they will help you uncover what is right for you, not what has worked for them. There is a difference. Coaches, mentors, and sponsors all are a part of your dream team to help you be successful - on your terms and in your unique way.

It's really interesting that an article called "You're feeling lost in your career. How can you find the right guidance to get back on track" is all about mentoring. As though finding the right person is the only way to identify your next career step. You don't have to outsource responsibility to some all-knowing person - you can start with where you are. Ask questions like: what in my current role lights me up? where am I most engaged and forget to do things like eat or poop? If there's nothing about your current role that does this - use your life. What is it about this thing - is it the thing you're actually doing? the people? where you're working? interactions you have? things you get to work with? Start here, then add mentors.